CSI Cymru (Crash Scene Incident)
Geared towards pupils aged 15/16 years, a tour of Year 11 of all Secondary Schools within Gwynedd is underway at present. It has been developed in order to make the pupils aware of the responsibility and the respect required in being a road user, especially a motor vehicle driver or passenger. It has been designed to change attitudes and behaviour prior to them becoming drivers. The pupils are 12 months away from being provisional driving licence holders and it is hoped that delivering the initiative at this time will encourage the young people to be responsible when driving, not only for themselves, but the passengers they are carrying and other road users sharing the road space. The initiative came about due to the high percentage of young road users being killed and seriously injured on Welsh Roads. During 2006, 617 drivers aged 18 were involved in collisions, they accounted for almost two-fifths (39%) of all drivers aged under 20 who were involved in crashes. Within these collisions 389 (14%) were male young drivers and the collisions were either fatal or serious. Young female drivers within the same period were involved in 117 (9%) of fatal or serious crashes. During this period Gwynedd’s Collision statistics for drivers under the age of 25 were as follows: 6 Fatal, 20 Serious and 128 Slight Casualties. See CSI Cymru dates for Gwynedd ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Look for Pass Plus Cymru Hundreds of visitors to the Royal Welsh Show and National Eisteddfod have received information regarding Pass Plus Cymru; the scheme, an enhanced version of the DSA’s standard Pass Plus Course, allows young drivers (aged between 17- 25 and living in Wales) to discover more driving techniques, hints and tips for just £20.
A new series of publicity material has been designed to promote the ever-growing national scheme. The bilingual resources include leaflets, posters and credit card sized information for distribution by Approved Driving Instructors. The supporting website www.dragondriver.com will shortly undergo a makeover to reflect the new design style. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Innovation Award for Road Safety Partnership Close partnership working between Wrexham County Borough Council's Road Safety Section and White Watch, Wrexham of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has resulted in an award winning initiative. The roadshow graphically demonstrates the types of injuries that can be sustained during a collision at low speed, without the trauma of the actual experience. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service have recognised the value and potential of this initiative and have awarded the partners a Community Award for Innovation. Paul Scott, Watch Manager, White Watch, Wrexham said "We are please to receive the award on behalf of all members of White Watch, Wrexham. We are delighted that the partnership has proved to be a success and we will continue to work together to reduce road traffic collisions in the area." Funding from the Welsh Assembly Government enabled the scheme to develop and now due to its success the Wrexham initiative is being replicated in other Authorities within Wales. Wendy Davies-Williams, Assistant Road Safety Officer with Wrexham County Borough Council said "The initiative visually demonstrates the consequences of a collision and can be adapted to deliver specific messages to a variety of audiences. This enables the Officers who present the show the opportunity to give advice on all aspects of in-car safety as well as remind drivers of the need to drive safely and responsibly." For further information contact: Wendy Davies-Williams on 01978 297142 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Road Show Launch A new joint initiative, aimed at reducing road traffic collisions involving young people, was launched at Coleg Gwent Ebbw Vale on Thursday 15th March. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Road Safety Officers from 10 local authorities in South Wales, have joined forces to bring a new initiative to students in sixth forms and colleges across the region. Fire and Rescue Officers deliver the Road Show, which is funded by the local authority Road Safety Teams using a Special Grant from the Welsh Assembly Government. The event involves groups of around 30 students who all receive an initial theory presentation at the college. This focuses on the Domino Effect and shows how one road crash can affect lots of different people in addition to the actual casualties and their families. Practical advice is offered and the students invited to discuss the issues and ask questions. Following this the students are taken outside and presented with the sight of a real crashed car, mounted on a trailer. This vehicle, a Vauxhall Corsa, was previously involved in an collision, which saw its 18 year old owner lucky to escape with his life, primarily because he was wearing his seatbelt. With this strong visual still present, the students are then talked through the dangers involved in driving such as: drink and drugs, inappropriate speed and the proper use of seatbelts. The students are also shown around a working fire engine, complete with all its rescue and cutting equipment, including the body bag. This further emphasises the drive safe message. At the launch, Principal Road safety Officer, Penny Thorpe, said, “Young drivers aged between 17 and 25 are over represented in road collision statistics. They often think they know it all when in fact their over confidence and inexperience can lead to tragedy. The Roadshow shows them exactly what can happen and that it could happen to them”. The Road Show should be visiting most colleges across South Wales so keep an eye out for it coming to visit yours! For further information: contact Penny Thorpe at Capita Symonds, 01633 463376 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apprentices on the road to motoring success Airbus has joined forces with North Wales Police and Flintshire County Council to offer its apprentices the Pass Plus Cymru course. Gary Griffiths, Airbus UK’s head of young people development at Broughton, said, “We are proud to support this initiative, giving our apprentices an opportunity to further their driving skills. Through completion of the course we hope our apprentices will improve their knowledge of road safety and keep themselves and others safer on the roads. Geraint Jones, assistant road safety officer for Flintshire County Council said, “It is important we educate young people about the potentially tragic consequences of unsafe driving and provide the tools to improve their skills and confidence.” For further information: contact Geraint Jones on 01352 704526
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Students participating in Megadrive visit "interactive workstations" in groups of three where they learn vital information on driving related topics. These include:
Year after year the workstation that proves to be the most popular is when the students get the opportunity to get into the drivers seat. They are given the opportunity to drive around a special course in a late model Vauxhall Corsa whilst accompanied by an approved driving instructor. This often gives the students their first taste of what being behind the wheel is really like. “Megadrive opens young people’s eyes to the huge responsibility of being a driver. Even the most street-wise are surprised at how much they have to learn to be a good driver.” Penny Thorpe, Principal Road Safety Officer, Capita Symonds Road Safety Team.
Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC - As above, although organised in Senior Schools in conjunction with Community Safety. Dates TBA SOON
Megadrive is also held in the following areas (dates to be confirmed): Ceredigion CC Carmarthen CC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coleg Gwent, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent Two years ago staff at Coleg Gwent designed a Summer School programme for students who have recently finished their GCSEs. Appreciating that new young drivers are involved in a disproportionately large number of collisions, staff at the college were keen to include a road safety aspect to the summer school. They contacted their local road safety unit, which referred them to the Newport School of Motoring, and as a result a driving course was created to suit the needs of the students, and is now known as the Young Driver Academy. Top Drive - Pembrokeshire
Everyone will also get to experience fire fighters simulating a Road Traffic Accident recovery. Advanced Tuition for Sixth Formers Mike Dacey, Road Safety Manager 01446 704774 |
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The CSI Cymru Road Safety Initiative in Gwynedd is a product developed in partnership between Gwynedd Council, North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. The initiative includes an exhibition of a crashed vehicle with dummy casualties.
Top Drive is an event for all 16-18 year olds in Pembrokeshire. Held in November every year, this event is an introduction to driving to help reduce and prevent road traffic accidents (RTAs) within this age group. There are professionals on hand to give their expert advice to over 400 pre-drivers.
